Longshoremen and port operators and ocean carriers reached a deal that averted a strike that would have closed East and Gulf coast ports on January 16. The deal includes a 62 percent pay hike for dock workers and agreement on the pace and scope of automation of the ports.
ALA was supporting and pressing for workarounds that would have continued the flow of products to exchanges and commissaries even in the event of a strike. Despite the East and Gulf Coast port strike deal, ALA plans will continue to work for changes to Defense policy that will guarantee deliveries of food and other consumer products to U.S. bases. Rossetti cited the support of the longshoreman’s union, Spartan Nash, the Port of Virginia, the Department of Defense and the U.S. Transportation Command in “leaning forward and exploring workarounds” in case the strike took place.
ALA President Steve Rossetti praised the strike deal but said it underscored the need to shore-up the policy for guaranteeing U.S. product delivery to commissary and exchange patrons. “The strike threat illuminated the vulnerability of our supply chain and highlighted key weaknesses in the vital pipeline to our military and their families overseas,” Rossetti said. “We need to continue to work with our Defense partners and industry to close any supply chain gaps that would have cut off commissary and exchange patrons.”
“Threatened and actual disruptions demonstrate the need for predictability and the day-to-day rhythm and cadence that gives predictability to the supply chain, a primary need and focus of U.S. manufacturers who support the military retail organizations,” Rossetti said. “The sun never sets on the worldwide network of exchanges and commissaries that support our troops and their families. Freedom’s protection has a long necessary lifeline and it needs to be nurtured and strengthened.”
Rossetti praised the work of military retailers and the East Coast distributor Spartan Nash in working with ALA to keep products flowing even in the event of a strike. “Spartan’s director of export services Sharon Fleener and the entire Spartan team continue to step forward to explore with ALA all avenues to keep product flow uninterrupted.”
Rossetti also noted the work of exchange and commissary leaders and logisticians in working with their organic and private sector partners to . “Exchange and commissary leaders and logisticians work hard to overcome any obstacles to ensuring source to shelf deliveries. Logistics reach is one of the hallmarks of the vitality and necessity of the global on-base commerce program.”
ALA’s Larry Lapka contributed to this article.
